Why do you oppose female ministers?
Introduction. An article which appeared in the local paper has prompted renewed interest in women in the pulpits ("Female Ministers Gaining Acceptance," September 27, 1997). The article mentions that the United Methodist and the Presbyterian church have been ordaining women since 1956, the Evangelical Lutherans since 1960, and the Episcopalians since 1979. Author Steve Gushee states, "Today nearly 15 percent of traditional mainline Protestant ministers are women." He continues, "And more than half of students preparing for ordained ministry in those churches are women" (Ibid.).
What do the scriptures teach? The first question relative to any such discussion should always be, what do the scriptures teach. How many of the apostles were women? (See Matthew 10: 1-5). The answer is none. The Book of Acts is the history book of the New Testament (see Acts 1: 1-3). Acts tells us of the beginning of the Lord's church, its spread, and the preaching of the gospel. The preaching of the apostles is recorded, Acts 2-12 (Peter) and Acts 13-28 (mainly Paul). There were Barnabas, Phillip, Stephen, John Mark, and Apollos, etc. who were preachers, but no female evangelists, as such. Timothy was to commit the gospel to "faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2: 2).
The culture of the First Century. Some contend women were not commonly used in the pulpits because of the gender segregation during the First Century. Beloved, female ministers is a "moral issue," not a cultural matter. Hear the Holy Spirit, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence..." (1 Tim. 2: 12, see vss. 13-15 as to the reason). We must oppose all teachings and practices which are contrary to God's word (Gal. 1: 6-10; 2 John 9-11).
What do the scriptures teach? The first question relative to any such discussion should always be, what do the scriptures teach. How many of the apostles were women? (See Matthew 10: 1-5). The answer is none. The Book of Acts is the history book of the New Testament (see Acts 1: 1-3). Acts tells us of the beginning of the Lord's church, its spread, and the preaching of the gospel. The preaching of the apostles is recorded, Acts 2-12 (Peter) and Acts 13-28 (mainly Paul). There were Barnabas, Phillip, Stephen, John Mark, and Apollos, etc. who were preachers, but no female evangelists, as such. Timothy was to commit the gospel to "faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2: 2).
The culture of the First Century. Some contend women were not commonly used in the pulpits because of the gender segregation during the First Century. Beloved, female ministers is a "moral issue," not a cultural matter. Hear the Holy Spirit, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence..." (1 Tim. 2: 12, see vss. 13-15 as to the reason). We must oppose all teachings and practices which are contrary to God's word (Gal. 1: 6-10; 2 John 9-11).